Astros vs Nationals Live

Astros vs Nationals Live :: Houston was the best team throughout the regular season and was able to survive playoff series against the Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees to advance to the World Series. Washington was able to erase a 19-31 start to finish 74-38 and ride pitching and hot bats into the World Series. That included an unexpected sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS.

The NL champion Washington Nationals (93-69 regular season) and AL champion Houston Astros (107-55) will tangle in the World Series, which starts Tuesday at 8:08 p.m. ET. Here, we break down the World Series odds and lines, with predictions, picks and betting tips for Nationals and Astros, who did not face each other in the regular season.

Houston has the home-field advantage in the series, and this is big. The Astros logged an amazing 60-21 home mark during the regular season and can set their rotation easily now.

Astros: The Big Three of Justin Verlander, Zack Greinke and Gerrit Cole – all righties – could be joined by southpaw Wade Miley or an “opener” for this best-of-seven series. The quartet buoyed the Astros to a 19-6 record and 3.26 ERA in September. Cole will start Game 1.

This may be the best pitching matchup on paper since the 2001 World Series between the New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks. Back then, it was the Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson duo hurling for Arizona. Houston has that in the form of Cole and Verlander, while Washington boasts Scherzer and Strasburg. Even Greinke and Sanchez are very good in the three-hole for their respective teams.

Nationals vs. Astros: By the numbers
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Series winner: Astros -223/Nationals +180

Both clubs use advanced metrics quite well and Washington has used it to maximize its pitching in particular. The Nationals have a rotation that stacks up well against the Astros. Some will argue Washington’s bullpen weakness has lessened a bit while Houston’s has been a little off at times.

Houston is the straight-up pick with slightly better pitching, more consistent batting and fewer injury concerns. But is it worth a -223 price tag? That draws a big, fat NO here. With the 43-cent difference, the number is likely lost in the middle, but